An Interview with Austin Revolution Film Festival’s James Christopher

What sets the Austin Revolution Film Festival apart from other film festivals?
What sets the Austin Revolution Film Festival apart from others festivals is our focus. We're trying to shine a light on the true indie filmmakers out there. The people who are about making a movie by any means necessary.

Your website mentions that some rebranding has taken place. How has the Austin Revolution Film Festival rebranded itself?
Well the name did change. We changed it to reflect a focus we've had along: that indie film is changing and the change will come from the folks who are working on to tell the stories they want to tell, unfettered by the pressures of studios and money men.

Is there something in particular that you look for in submissions? Or are there multiple factors?
For submissions, we're look at story first and foremost. We're multi genre, so we're looking at all types of films. If they tell a compelling story, we want to play it.

How is your festival received locally in Austin?
Locally, we've been thrilled with the response. Most of our screenings have been at capacity. There is a hunger for indie film in this town and we're just excited to be able to help fill it. We're a big town with a lot of festivals, but there is never a shortage of audience members.

What is the mission of the Austin Revolution Film Festival?
Our mission is two fold. For one, to provide a voice for those filmmakers that might not get a chance to screen in Austin. Austin is a great film town, but most of the other festivals in town tend to show bigger indie films. We want to help folks get seen. We also want to introduce the Austin audience to indie films that they might not get a chance to see, to help them learn what's going on all over the world. People telling stories because they have too.

Do you have an interesting story that has taken place during a past festival?
What makes our festival awesome isn't just one story. It's the filmmakers getting together to work together on other projects. It's the networking like I've never seen at another festival. People hanging out to the wee hours of the morning. At one point, we floated the bar at one event.

Where do you see or would like to see your Festival in 5 years?
In five years, I want to see it get bigger, but I don't want to lose its focus. We're about true indie film. Not indie film with studio dollars behind it. We're about those stories that might not get to be seen all the time.

Do you have any advice for Indie Filmmakers?
Just keep making films. Lots of people without the talent or the work ethic will tell people it's not worth doing. No is easy. Step up, make a film that's honest and that you put your heart into and people will watch it.

Comments

comments